WASHINGTON — Here’s a reason to get used to turning off the water while you brush your teeth: of the options for rate structure changes currently under consideration by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, all three would charge more per-gallon as customers use more.
On Wednesday, WSSC management concluded 20 public hearings on the matter and announced its three recommended rate structure options that appeared to show the philosophy of conservation prevailed.
Maryland’s Public Service Commission ordered the WSSC to implement new rate structures because current practices were determined to be preferential to low-usage customers.
The current rate structure was adopted 25 years ago.
WSSC Commissioners will forward their recommendation to Prince George’s and Montgomery counties for consideration on Nov. 15. A new rate structure will be announced in June of 2018.
If one of the current options under consideration is chosen, the new rates would take effect once a new billing system is in place. That’s anticipated to be ready by July 2019.
If the commissioners choose to implement a uniform rate for all customers regardless of usage volume, that new rate structure could go into effect in July 2018.
Most of WSSC’s customers are households of three or fewer people who use about 55 gallons of water a day and pay about $205.45 every three months.
The three currently recommended rate structures are 3-A, 3-B and 4A.
Under option 3-A, that quarterly bill would increase to $210.06. Options 3-B and 4-A would see those bills decrease to $184.15 and $200.62, respectively.
WSSC serves 1.8 million residents in the two counties.
